This can sound quite frightening but it is important to understand that your heart is not about to stop. It can certainly cause a build up of fluid in the lungs (lung congestion) causing breathlessness or leg swelling but these symptoms can improve with suitable treatment allowing you to live well with heart failure.
Related topics: Coronary artery disease, heart attack, risk factors, ICD, pacemaker.
For information on our Faces of Heart Failure campaign please see here
*With worsening heart failure the breathlessness occurs with less activity and if it is severe may occur at rest – this also needs urgent attention so you need to call an ambulance
Symptoms like these happen when your heart is not pumping blood around the body efficiently, allowing excess fluid to pool in your lungs and elsewhere in your body, most usually your feet and ankles.
It is important that you recognise the early signs of fluid retention which are responsible for many of your symptoms including, sudden weight gain; swollen ankles; shortness of breath; and loss of appetite.
When you retain fluid your heart has to work harder and this causes you to feel extremely tired. People with heart failure are more likely to have rhythm disturbances in their heart and you may feel your heart beating fast in your chest. Any new palpitations or dizziness should be reported.
Sometimes the dizziness may be related to the tablets you are taking. However, you should report any dizziness to your doctor and ensure you don’t stop taking your medication without advice. As with all of your symptoms, the earlier you report them to your doctor the easier they are to treat and cause you less discomfort.
This can happen suddenly or can develop over months or even years.
The most common causes are:
Heart failure can also develop if the heart muscle becomes stiff affecting the way your heart fills with blood in between heartbeats. This may be called either ‘diastolic heart failure’ or ‘heart failure with preserved ejection fraction’ because the heart doesn’t fill efficiently it also leads to breathlessness.
Then your doctor will order certain tests to confirm the diagnosis and to search for the cause of your heart failure.
These tests include:
When heart failure has been confirmed, your doctor will decide what class or stage it is at. This will help to decide on the most suitable treatment programme for you.
This classification system is based on your symptoms and how you are affected. In class 1 you may not have any symptoms, whilst in class 4, which is the most severe, you may have difficulty with simple everyday activities and be short of breath at rest.
A combination of medications and lifestyle changes will help reduce congestion (fluid build-up), ease symptoms, and help improve the pumping function of your heart.
Whatever treatment plan is agreed with your doctor, it is very important you monitor your symptoms every day and report any changes.
Medications
You will probably be prescribed a number of medications. It is important you understand what they are doing and when they should be taken. The amount of each medicine will be changed and improved over time to best help your symptoms.
Stay Active
Staying physically active can help reduce fatigue and tiredness and can help your body work more efficiently. By severely restricting physical activity you can get “out of shape” and reduce your stamina, so that even a short walk may seem like a big task.
You may feel your heart race and pound, as breathing becomes more difficult. Being out of condition places added stress on your heart. In short, it is better to keep active. By exercising regularly and keeping your body in condition, you will feel better and be able to accomplish more. You will do routine activities more easily.
This does not mean that rest is bad. Regular periods of exercise and rest should be included in your daily activities.
Resting for 30-60 minutes after meals allows the heart to use its fullest capacity for digestion. Perhaps this is what the afternoon “siesta” is all about! Extra rest also helps during periods of emotional stress or illness.
You should start off with gentle exercise, building it up gradually. If you listen to your body you will know just how much you can exercise. The important aspect is to exercise regularly not sporadically.
General Advice
Heart failure generally responds very well to a combination of medicines and lifestyle changes. Some people may need operations or pacemakers or similar devices. With modern treatment, people with heart failure can lead good quality lives. However, some people may not get better and their heart failure worsens. It is important to understand that the progression of heart failure can be unpredictable, and varies significantly from person to person.
Some people, towards the end of their disease, need palliative care and may wish to let their families know in advance what they would like to be done if they become very ill and no longer respond to any treatment.
The Irish Heart Foundation offers a range of free support services to those affected by heart disease or stroke that can greatly improve their quality of life. These include support groups, physical exercise classes, therapy sessions and more.
For more information on these supports, see our Patient Supports page.
If you have any questions about heart disease or stroke, you can also call the Irish Heart Foundation’s Nurse Support on (01) 668 5001 to speak to a nurse specialist who will answer your questions, and give you guidance and reassurance.
See our booklet Step By Step Through Heart Failure for a more in-depth and practical guide.
To reduce your risk factors, read our articles on Your Heart Health Information that include healthy eating, getting active, high blood pressure, cholesterol, managing your weight, and stopping smoking.
See our Heart Failure entitlements booklet
Download the Fluid Heart Tracker app
Listen to the Heart Failure podcast
In addition to our Heart Failure Supports, throughout 2023, the Irish Heart Foundation is planning a series of Support and Information Evenings around Ireland for people living with heart failure, their families, and carers.
These evenings, which are free to attend, will feature a mix of speakers, from those affected by and living with the condition to professionals who work with heart failure every day. They will share practical advice and information that you can use to help improve or enhance your quality of life.
We will be providing tea and coffee /light refreshments after the event to give you a chance to meet others with similar stories, to have a chat about life, living with the condition and your heart failure journey. Learn more.
